Process Engineer (1st Shift)

Job Description

Job Description

Job Title: Process Engineer – SMT / PCBA (1st Shift)
Job Description

The Process Engineer will create, optimize, and maintain SMT and PCBA production lines for high‑reliability products serving the aerospace and defense industry. This role focuses on developing effective reflow profiles, supporting SMT operations, and acting as the subject matter expert for assigned lines. Approximately 15–20% of the position involves direct customer interaction, requiring strong communication skills to translate technical requirements into robust manufacturing processes.

Responsibilities

• Create, optimize, and maintain SMT and PCBA process lines to support high‑reliability aerospace and defense products.
• Develop, validate, and refine reflow profiles to ensure consistent solder quality and compliance with reliability standards.
• Serve as the subject matter expert (SME) for assigned SMT and PCBA lines, providing technical guidance and troubleshooting support.
• Support SMT operations, including pick-and-place programming, setup optimization, and continuous process improvement.
• Collaborate with customers to review documentation, clarify technical requirements, and align manufacturing processes with customer expectations.
• Develop and maintain detailed work instructions, including process steps, quality checkpoints, and inspection criteria.
• Design, refine, and support tooling, fixtures, and fine tooling solutions to improve manufacturability and product quality.
• Support new product introduction (NPI) and prototype builds by establishing initial process parameters, documentation, and verification steps.
• Lead or support first article builds and reviews, ensuring that process documentation and results meet customer and internal requirements.
• Drive process improvements for PCBA and related operations, focusing on yield enhancement, defect reduction, and throughput optimization.
• Support through-hole and mixed-technology assembly processes, including wave or selective soldering as needed.
• Interface with customers approximately 15–20% of the time to provide technical updates, discuss process changes, and address issues.
• Document and communicate process changes, lessons learned, and best practices to cross-functional teams.
• Collaborate with quality, production, and engineering teams to resolve process-related issues and support root cause analysis.
• Support box build and final assembly processes where applicable, ensuring alignment between PCBA and system-level builds.

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in process engineering with a strong focus on PCBA and SMT manufacturing.
• Hands-on experience with SMT processes, including pick-and-place equipment setup and optimization.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and optimize reflow profiles for high-reliability electronic assemblies.
• Strong background in PCBA process engineering and process improvement, including data-driven problem solving.
• Experience supporting NPI and prototype builds in an electronics manufacturing environment.
• Experience with first article builds and documentation in a regulated or high-reliability industry.
• Knowledge of through-hole assembly processes and related soldering methods.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to interface effectively with customers and internal teams.
• Ability to balance approximately 80% technical responsibilities with 20% customer-facing activities.
• Eligibility to work in the United States in accordance with applicable requirements.

• Experience with box build and system-level assembly is a plus.
• Experience with tooling modification, fixturing, and fine tooling design for PCBA and assembly processes.
• Prior experience working with or for an electronics contract manufacturer (CM) is preferred.
• Familiarity with ECD or similar tools for thermal profiling and process verification.
• background in aerospace, defense, or other high-reliability electronics manufacturing environments.
• Ability to work independently as the line SME while collaborating effectively with cross-functional teams.
• Strong attention to detail and a continuous improvement mindset focused on quality and reliability.

This is a 1st shift, onsite role with standard hours of approximately 6:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. There is some flexibility of about an hour for start time, with the expectation of being present during core business hours. The environment has a smaller, close-knit feel where individuals can see the impact of their work and avoid the anonymity often found in very large organizations. The facility supports SMT, PCBA, through-hole, and box build operations, with modern production equipment and a focus on high-reliability aerospace and defense products. The organization offers strong benefits, including a fully paid HRA that covers out-of-pocket maximums, contributing to a supportive and stable work setting.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of San Jose, CA.

The pay range for this position is $62.50 - $67.31/hr.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following:
• Medical, dental & vision
• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
• 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
• Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
• Short and long-term disability
• Health Spending Account (HSA)
• Transportation benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

This is a fully onsite position in San Jose,CA.

This position is anticipated to close on Jul 14, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email View email address on ziprecruiter.com for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.